Updated: Dancing With the Stars: Who Got Eliminated, Plus What Cheryl Burke and Peta Murgatroyd Say About Maks and Meryl's Rumored Romance

Here's an interesting observation about Dancing With the Stars this season: For the first time ever, we seem to care less about who was eliminated and more about what has been going on in the ballroom (or off) between Meryl and Maks. And that was true again tonight when Maks laid into guest-judge Abby Lee Miller of Lifetime's Dance Mom's for her criticism of his rumba with Meryl. "I really don't care for anything she has to say," he so matter-of-factly said, as if to channel the Devil Wears Prada's Miranda Priestly. So who was eliminated? And have we progressed at all in the Meryl and Maks dating world? Read on!

In somewhat of a shocker, Candace and Mark (who were in jeopardy at the start of the show) were declared safe, and Danica and Val were eliminated. What I found more shocking was Peta's face during the last few seconds...Tony Dovolani was backstage with us, and even he looked stunned that Peta seemed to think she was going to be eliminated. (She and James were also "in jeopardy.")

Update: After the show, Danica and Val skipped the press line except for the local ABC affiliate in Los Angeles. That obviously did not sit well with the rest of us because it's DWTS protocol to talk to the eliminated couple each week. But anyway, moving on...

Update: Right now, the biggest threat to what seems like Maks and Meryl's Mirrorball trophy-winning odds is Amy Purdy and Derek Hough. However, many of you have said to me that you're concerned Amy may not win because people are tired of seeing Derek take home the glitzy hardware. "That definitely is a factor," admitted Derek, "especially for long-term fans that think, I don't want him to win it again. So I get it. I'm always a part of the show, but it's about wanting to see my partners win [instead of it being about me]. I want to see Amy win. There’s been seasons where I’ve won before and I'm not as proud of that win. Then other seasons that I didn’t win, I’ll look back and think, Wow, that was awesome. Those are the dances that I go back and watch. We've already created so many amazing memories here that no matter what, I will look back at this and say, "Look what you did, look what we did together. How incredible is that?" But I don’t see it as me. I see it for my partner." And that, my friends, is why Derek Hough is the class act that he is.

Update: As for the celebrities competing on DWTS this season, there is no one more down-to-earth than Olympian Charlie White. And as you might expect, when I asked him for his thoughts on guest-judge Abby Lee Miller, he was quite diplomatic. "We like to focus on the positive. I think conversations about her tend to trend negative, and that energy is not something that anyone really needs. Suffice it to say, we’re not all 100-percent pleased with the way she conducts herself professionally. At the end of the day, she wasn't that bad here, [but] she shouldn’t be a highlight of what we’re talking about." Meanwhile, Sharna also voiced her opinion on Dance Mom's controversial figure: "Without me going into one of my rants about it, I'm sad that we endorsed her behavior and the way she teaches and the way she is with children, and I'm sad that we did that tonight."

Looking ahead to next week, Sharna said that she's loving the song choice they got for American Icon Night. Sharna: "We are living for it right now! It’s certainly a little left field. When you hear our samba song, you’ll be like, 'Now I know what you were saying!'"

Update: All any of us could talk about in the press room was how miserable Peta looked "in jeopardy" and that she was practically convinced she and James were being sent home. When I brought that up to Peta backstage, she was actually surprised. "I was going over and over in my head, 'It’s not us, it’s not us, it’s not us.' I was trying to remain cool and calm, but obviously it didn’t look like that!" Meanwhile, James told me he just wants to get through next week so he can do "the freakin' free-style in the finals!"

I also told James and Peta that they owe Meryl and Maks some sort of gift basket since they've taken the dating pressure off of them. "That's perfect!" Peta exclaimed. "We are happy that it’s on them! We can finally get through an interview without a question [of us dating] now! Awesome!" So, should Maks and Meryl date? "Yeah, why not?! She’s beautiful, he’s handsome, they’d be a great couple."

Meanwhile, in the are-they-or-aren't-they-dating world, I've decided to hold off on asking Maks and Meryl more about their "relationship" status until after the finale (two more weeks!). However, that doesn't mean I can't fish for info from their costars. So here's what I found out from pro dancer Cheryl Burke when I ran into her at the iHeartRadio Music Awards:

Glamour: The show loves to stir up story lines whether they are true or not, but this time around I feel like there’s more truth to the Maks and Meryl situation. Do you guys mind all the romance rumors that happen each season?Cheryl Burke: For us, we really don’t care because it’s our job and we’ve been dry-humping each other for years. We are very affectionate people and very touchy-feely. For people that have never really been in our world and they see a hot guy and a hot girl have a lot of chemistry, it doesn’t necessarily mean it goes beyond the dance floor. For us, that’s what we do and how we show chemistry. We touch and we’re very touchy-feely. For us, we take it with a grain of salt, but for the celebs, they just fall in love.

Glamour: Have you noticed a change in Maks this season because of Meryl?Cheryl: Yes, I really have. I think Maks has been a lot more positive. I think taking a break for him was a big deal and coming back and feeling like he had a real chance to win this competition, and I think he does. I’ve been very lucky and won my first two seasons of Dancing With the Stars, so I get his frustration. He wants to win. They’ve given him a few chances [with great partners], but this year I think he really has that chance. He has a great partner. [Taking time off] makes a difference, and he’s fresh. Some people just need a break for a little bit and to collect their thoughts. We love to perform, and you can’t pass up an opportunity like Dancing With the Stars.

Update: Of course I had to talk to Maks and Meryl tonight. I didn't ask they if they were dating, but I did find a sly way to bring it up. But first, I mentioned to Maks how I compared his response to Abby Lee Miller as very Miranda Priestly, and Meryl said she could not agree more. "I love that. That's a good comparison." Meanwhile, Maks wasn't shying away from his criticism of the guest-judge: "You can’t really get into a fight with someone like that. They are not equipped [to figure it out]."

And then there was this: Glamour: So I'm going to make Peta and James send you a gift basket for taking the dating pressure off of them. It really is very kind of you. [Laughs] What would you like in your gift basket?Maks: Send granola bars.Glamour: No, ask for something better!Meryl: But I’m a big granola bar fan. I love Nutri-grain bars. I’m addicted.

You know what else Meryl is addicted to? Spray tans! I'll have more on the beauty and hair secrets of Meryl, Peta, Candace, and others coming soon.

Oh, and who else caught when Maks said in his rehearsal package, "We’re going to try and maintain whatever it is we have going on way after the show?" You better believe I'm going to find out "whatever it is" when I have the video crew with me for the finale. Get ready, Team M! It's coming!

Update: And finally, this column wouldn't be complete without congratulating Candace Cameron Bure and Mark Ballas on their excellent scores. "I felt a little bad!" Candace admitted to me of her enthusiastic reaction to finding out she and Mark were safe. "I think like we might have gone on too long! I was so excited though!"

Speaking of excitement, I've been eagerly anticipating the night that John Stamos, Dave Coulier, and Bob Saget were going to come watch Candace, but that has yet to happen. "I talked to John a couple of days ago," Candace told me, "and he said, 'I’ve been a really crappy uncle.' He actually said a different word, but we’ll use crappy here. He left for India for three weeks yesterday, so he’s like, 'I’m so sorry I didn’t come earlier!' But he’s tweeting for us. Still, total bummer. I’m going to call Bob and beg. Dave does comedy on the weekends, so Mondays are a super-hard night for him to come to the show. I thought they really loved me!" I came up with a good consolation prize for Candace though, and if I can manage to make it happen, I think you guys are really going to love it.

By the way, huge congrats to Mark Ballas on his outstanding performance of "Get My Name," his new single now available on iTunes (you can purchase that here). Just like Derek, he is one of the nicest guys not only on the cast but in everyday life.

Photos: Adam Taylor/ABC; Jessica Radloff

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Jessica RadloffWest Coast entertainment writer. Always trying to make each interview more fun than the last. Obsessed with the St. Louis Cardinals, Scott Speedman, Sprinkles cupcakes--and apparently the letter S.